Monk Testifies in Church Scandal Investigation
In a significant development in the ongoing church scandal, Archimandrite Nektarios spent Monday afternoon providing testimony to the Synod-appointed investigative committee. The testimony, which lasted over four hours, is part of a comprehensive inquiry into allegations that have rocked the religious community.
Nektarios arrived at the archbishopric at 10:15 am and concluded his session after 3 pm. During this time, he presented a list of 20 witnesses from both Cyprus and abroad. His legal representatives, Andriana Klaedes and Anastasios Vavouskos, refrained from disclosing specifics about the testimony. “He submitted his views, obviously there were questions which he answered and it was done. I cannot say anything about the content,” Vavouskos commented.
The legal team was not present during Nektarios’s statement to the committee but waited outside the room. When pressed for details about the proceedings, Vavouskos maintained discretion, stating, “I cannot share details, it is not allowed.”
Archimandrite Porfirios was scheduled to give his testimony later the same day at 5:30 pm. Both he and Nektarios are currently on leave from their religious duties. Their legal team previously expressed concerns over the investigative process; however, they were assured that responses would be provided once the committee concluded its investigation. “We respect the process,” Vavouskos said.
Following Nektarios’s testimony, other members of the Osiou Avakoum monastery were set to appear before the committee on Tuesday. The scandal involving Nektarios and Porfirios includes allegations of them possessing €800,000 in cash, owning property in Greece and Limassol, and engaging in sexual misconduct captured on CCTV footage. A separate video allegedly shows a monk assaulting a woman who worked at the monastery.
Both monks have vehemently denied all allegations, asserting that they are victims of a conspiracy against them. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Nektarios shared that while the accusations have “shaken his soul,” his faith in God remains unshaken.
